Mix up your usual hot chocolate routine this season with spiced (and spiked) hot apple cider. Warm and cozy, cider is a cold-weather treat that can be enjoyed in a variety of ways. Simple twists like a hint of orange, a kick of maple, or a sprinkle of sugar will update this Winter drink and keep you warm well into the night. Make a batch for your next dinner party, or simply enjoy a mug during a casual movie night; these five recipes won't disappoint!
Who says you can't have doughnuts? Check out this recipe for baked apple cider doughnuts that CookingErin shared in the Healthy Recipe community group.
I have been craving apple cider donuts ever since the weather turned "Fall-ish." I finally satisfied my craving a few weeks ago after picking some up at an apple orchard in New Jersey. Then I picked up Health magazine and saw a recipe for making healthy doughnuts at home, and I figured, what the heck?
See the recipe after the break!
It's still Winter and that means I'm constantly craving soup. Last week I warmed my soul with this smooth butternut squash and apple soup. The apples provide a lovely sweetness to the robust and rich soup. Don't skip the sour cream step, it really adds a depth of flavor. It's elegant and brings to mind Thanksgiving dinner in a very good way. You should really make it. Right now. Get the recipe.
During the Winter months, I love serving (and sipping) hot spiced cider or mulled wine. But at a crowded party full of warm bodies, a hot drink isn't always the best idea, and keeping it heated adds an extra challenge. I was delighted to come across this mulled rum punch, which can be served hot or cold. 
At first I was skeptical that it would taste good cold, but it was delicious, and when I made it at a recent party, the guests all raved. For a special effect, freeze a bowl of water with some spiced suspended inside — I used star anise, but cinnamon sticks would also look pretty — then place the festive block of ice in the punch. Find out how to make it when you read more
Source: Flick users Charles Haynes and thedabble
After declaring I'd discovered the perfect Fall cocktail last week, I was worried I'd have nothing to look forward to. But surprisingly, my success had the opposite effect: I was inspired to go in search of other tipples that glorify the season's bounty.
Right now, it's impossible to wander the farmers market without being smitten by frosty jugs of freshly pressed apple cider. The apple cidercar — a riff on the time-honored sidecar cocktail — is a fun way to incorporate Autumn's quintessential beverage into a spirited libation. Check out the recipe when you read more.
While Yum was into Tyler Florence's kitchen essentials, I was more interested in the cocktail — or should I say mocktail, it was nonalcoholic he was pouring. The refreshing beverage was a mixture of cranberry juice, ice, and sparkling apple cider. This cool and delicious concoction is perfect for the upcoming holiday season. Although you do need a blender, it's so easy to make that you could even get the kids involved. To get the technique for Tyler's festive slushie-like mocktail, read more
There's nothing more soothing than a mug of spiced apple cider while you're decorating your Christmas tree or throwing a holiday gathering. Best of all, the warm drink can be enjoyed by adults and children. This recipe is so simple your preschooler can do most of the work himself. Aside from the cooking, of course.
In a large pot, combine a jug of fresh apple cider, a few whole cloves and cinnamon sticks, and a peeled and separated orange. While the juice simmers for 20 minutes, have your lil one drop a small cinnamon stick in each mug before you pour and serve.
To err on the side of caution, let the cider sit until it's an appropriate temperature for the lil ones. And, for the adults who like a kick in their drink, add a splash of brandy to their cups.
Last year, while flipping through Blueprint magazine, I came across a beautifully styled drink called The Big Apple. The recipe sounded fantastic — whiskey, apple cider, vermouth — but the reason to drink it was even better. According to Blueprint, it makes the perfect "transitional" sipper and I couldn't agree more. It's definitely too cold for margaritas, and I personally can't do eggnog until Thanksgiving. Over the next two weeks I plan on enjoying a few of these Big Apples. Want to join me? Get the recipe, just read more
